Awareness in Taiji Qigong The fundamental aspects of training Tai Chi and Qigong are posture, awareness and breath. Awareness is important to train as you need to be present in your movements to be able to perform. Awareness is an expression of mindfulness as you maintain a point of focus for a sustained period of…
Chronic Health Tai Chi Livestream Online Group Class UK Join our Tai Chi, Qigong and meditation online class for relaxation and health. Open to all abilities, the lessons include seated and standing movements, guiding you through gentle tension relief, physical relaxation and meditation techniques. Anyone can join in, whether living with chronic illness, chronic pain…
Chronic Health Warrior I’d like to introduce you all to Ren, a young man with complex health needs who has channelled his experience into song writing and music. I’ve not been blown away by new music for a while. Ren has released a song called “Hi Ren”, which details his inner conflict over living with…
Managing Expectations in Tai Chi Handy Tips for Beginners As a beginner Tai Chi student there are some key things to know before you start training, that will make the first steps into your Tai Chi journey much smoother. When you start a new exercise programme it is easy to bump into barriers that will…
Michael Smith Soma Dao Qigong Dr Michael Smith is as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Functional Medicine who has also trained in internal martial arts, Qigong and Taoism with lineage holders of the traditions. Michael’s YouTube channel has instructional Qi Gong videos and practice sessions that combine his personal and professional experience of…
Zhan Zhuang Video Course A Free Programme for Beginner Students Standing like a tree – Standing Pole Zhan Zhuang is a stillness meditation which is a unique and powerful method to awaken the body in stillness. It is an ancient internal Taoist practice to cultivate mind and body. Learn to re-wire your habitual posture, integrate…
Cross Lateral Movements Connecting Left and Right Brain Hemispheres The Power of Natural Movements For fully functioning physical movements and motor control the whole brain must work in a co-ordinated way. There are 6 patterns of total body connectivity; breathing, core, spine, upper & lower body, body half and cross lateral. This article looks at…
Chen Tai Chi Livestream Online Group Classes via Zoom UK Join our traditional Chen Tai Chi all levels livestream. Learn strengthening and relaxing movements from the comfort of your own home with our monthly subscription. Give momentum to your home practice. Whether you are a new beginner or a seasoned student join instructor Nicola’s online school and take…
Fixed vs Growth Mindset What kind of Tai Chi student are you? If you were to divide the population down into two types of learning styles, you could use the fixed vs growth mindset approach. Read through the characteristics of each, which mindset do you feel you are most like? In reality, it is not…
The Art of Pacing What does pacing mean and how can it benefit you as a life philosophy? Pacing is generally the opposite of how we have been conditioned and brought up. We live in an ever increasing fast paced and demanding world. It’s no wonder stress is one of the most silent and untreated…
Qigong Wall Squatting The Qigong wall squat is a dynamic whole body movement. An ultimate squat that develops leg strength, power, balance and body awareness. The stretching and relaxing wave like motion in the spine gives circulation a boost, helps the body detox and massages your internal organs to aid their functioning. As a beginner…
Online Tai Chi Testimonial Learning Chen Tai Chi via Zoom Dated January 2022 This online Tai Chi testimonial is written by one of my Chen Tai Chi students, who studies privately with me via Zoom. He came to my classes during lockdown after searching for a Chen style teacher that would teach online. “Nicola is…
Deception Training Body Language and the Mind Body Connection This article looks at deception training and the relationship between how you hold yourself, the stress and relaxation state, and how Tai Chi and Qigong movements can help. The Stress Response What does the fear, stress, anxiety, scared, afraid, discomfort or nervous response look like in…
Fang Song in Tai Chi One of the most important Tai Chi principles is fang song = applied relaxation. To use the least amount of muscular contraction to perform a movement. Which means to release inappropriate muscle contraction, to loosen the joints and to reduce physical tension. I describe it to my students as the…
Summer Qi for the Heart Summer is an expansive time of year that is governed by the fire element and the heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Here are my suggestions for strengthening your heart in the summer months. Yin Yan Theory (Heart and Kidneys) The kidneys (water element) and the heart (fire element) represent…